Category: P

Term referring to people with ear and hearing problems who developed deafness after some experience of sound and spoken language, especially after age three—about 5 percent of hearing-impaired people. Occurring after the development and use of speech and language.  

A common test performed in evaluating infertility problems. A test for infertility. A specimen of cervical mucus, taken up to 24 hours after coitus (during the post-ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle), is examined microscopically to assess the motility of the sperms. If motility is above a certain level, then sperms and mucus are not…

A disorder association with menstruation. Menstrual bleeding that occurs regularly, but at intervals of less than 21 days.  

A condition of having too much amniotic fluid during a pregnancy. In pregnancy, an excess amount of amniotic fluid, which can increase either gradually or suddenly. Maternal symptoms of polyhydramnios include a larger than expected abdominal size, abdominal discomfort, breathlessness, nausea, or swelling of the legs. It is diagnosed by physical examination and ultrasound. Tests…

A circle of preschool-age children who are gathered together (by their parents or caregivers) on a fairly regular basis at the home of one child or another, often in rotation, the idea being to help children learn to develop social skills by playing with others and to give them the stimulation of new people and…

In children and adults, a normal reflex of curling the toes when the foot is firmly stroked on the outside of the sole. In newborns, the normal response is a flexing upward of the big toe and fanning of the other toes, called Babinski’s reflex; if this occurs in children and adults, it can indicate…

In law, the person who makes a complaint in a civil lawsuit. The person (or organization) who brings a lawsuit against another person or entity, called the defendant. Commonly, the plaintiff in a lawsuit is someone who alleges she was injured by the acts of the defendant. The person, entity, or party who sues or…

The traditional method of teaching reading by having the child sound out the letters and learn how they fit together to form words, one of the key word-attack skills; also called the phonetics, alphabet, or ABC method. Some children, such as those with learning disabilities, may need extra help in effectively learning the connections between…

A type of vaccine that is normally given in a combination DTP vaccine, covering diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw), and pertussis (whooping cough).  

A general term for psychological tests focusing on a person’s self, emotions, and behavior; also alternate term for projective tests. Pencil-and-paper tests used to determine the patterns of emotions, behaviors, and attitudes that make up a person’s personality. Most personality tests ask the person taking the test a wide range of questions about their behavior,…